Match-machine.



Patented Nov; I4, I899.

A ANDERSON.

MATCH MACHINE.

(Application filed Feb. 23, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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3' Sheets-Sheet 2,

Patented Nov. 14, I899.

A. ANDERSON.

MATCH MACHINE.

(Appiication filed Feb. 23, 1899.)

(No Model.)

afia Kiwi PatntelL-Nov. l4, I899.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A. ANDERSON.

MATCH MACHINE.

(Application filed Feb. 23, 1899.)

m: NURRIS PETERS co. mom-mug" I (No Model.)

a1. wM /Q r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

- ANDREW ANDERSON, .015 DETROIT, MICHIGAN- MATCH-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 637,064, dated November14, 1899.

Application filed February 23, 1899. Serial No. 706,523. (No model.)

To all whom it may-concern: 1

Be it known that I, ANDREW ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at De troit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, haveinvented certain'newanduse ful Improvements in Match- Machines, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

My invention relates to match-machines of that class in which theprocess of forming the matches is carried on automatically andcontinuously from start to finish.

The invention consists in the means employed for assorting the splintsand eliminating the broken ones and the .dust and dirt therefrom and theremaining splints into parallel arrangement; further, in the means forseparating and transferring from the bunch or pile of parallel splints agroup of splints spaced from each other and for engaging said spacedgroup with an endless carrier, and, further, in the peculiarconstruction, arrangement, and combination of parts, as more fullyhereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical central longitudinal sectionthrough my machine. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on line m :0. Fig. 3 is asectional perspective view ofthe group,- ing and transfer mechanism.Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3, showing the parts in a differentposition. Fig. 5 is a section on line 1 y, Fig; 4. Fig. 6 is a frontelevation of a section of the endless carrier. Fig. 7 is a perspectiveView of one of the carrier-links. Fig. 8 is a central longitudinalsection thereof. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on line a a, Fig. 1.

The process which is carried out by my machine consists of the followingsteps: The splints having been first formed are fed in an irregular massmixed with the broken fragments and more or less dust, dirt, slivers,8Z0. into the assorting device, in which the debris is eliminated andthe remaining good splints are arranged in parallelism. The next step isthe transferring of said parallelly-arranged splints to anv endlesscarrier and engaging them therewith in spaced groups, said carrierholding the splints during the process of 'forming the heads, andfinally the disengagement of the completed matches from the carrier."The mechanism for asserting thesplints comprises the box or receptacleA, longitudinally secured upon the supporting-frame B and provided withmeans for imparting to it a rapidoscillatory movement, such as theeccentricG on the rotary shaft D, connected by the rod E to saidreceptacle. The bottom of the receptacle is formed of a grating F,comprising the separated cross-slats a and the parallel longitudinaldivision-strips b above said slats, the latter being separated from eachother by a space which is less than the length of a splint. The gratingF is slightly inclined and at its lower end connects with a verticaltrunk G, a similar oppositely-inclined grating H being arranged on theopposite side of the trunk.

c is a partition which divides the receptacle A into two compartments,said partition extending down to the top of the longitudinal strips 1).The trunk G is divided longitudinally by partitions d, corresponding tostrips 1), into a number of parallel passage-ways, the

width of each being less and the length slightly more than the length ofthe splints. The upper end of the trunk has a hinge con nection withtherecptacle, and the lower end connects with 'a stationary trunk-sectionI.

M is the endless carrier, which is formed of a series of splint-holdingcross-bars linked together, so as to constitute a chain. This carrier isof a suitable length and is suitably arranged to carry the splintsduring the entire process of forming the heads of the matches and ofdrying them after formed; but in the drawings I have shown only a shortsection of the carrier passing around in rear of the trunk G. Eachholder or link of the carrier comprises two parallel rods e e, round incross-section and spaced a proper distance apart to form between anarrow slit, into which the ends of the splints may be wedged. Ipreferably form those rods of gas-pipe and connect them together attheir ends by the links f, which have the pins or nipples g extendinginto'the ends of said pipes and secured therein by the pins or rivets f,passing centrally through said nipple and pipes. These rivets alsosecure in place spacing blocks or washers g, placed between the pipes ee, and to secure greater rigidity I preferably connect the rods 6 6together at their longitudinal center by another pin or rivet, with aspacing-washer g between. The rods or pipes e e are preferably flattenedslightly on their adjacent sides to form parallel surfaces, betweenwhich the splints are inserted. Each linkfis bifurcated at one end andat its opposite end is provided with a tongue h, adapted to form aknuckle with the bifurcated end of the adjoining link, to which it ispivotally secured by the pin h. Each linkfis also provided with theoutwardly-extending lug i.

In rear of the feed-trunk G the carrier M passes through suitablegrooved guides N, which engage with the lugs 'i on opposite sides of thecarrier and hold it from lateral movement. The guides N are secured tothe frame B, which also formsa support for the transfer mechanism, bymeans of which the splints are taken from the trunk and engaged withtheholder-linksofthecarrier. Theconstruction of this transfer mechanismis as follows:

0 is a channeled plate extending across beneath the stationary trunk I,the channels in said plate being arranged parallel to the splints in thetrunk and each being of a size to receive a single splint only. Thepartitions 0' between the channels are of the proper thickness to givethe desired spacing to the splints and preferably extend out in rear ofthe holder into proximity to the carrier M, one link of which is in aposition to bring the slot between its rods c c in line with saidchannels.

P P are plungers in the channels of the plate 0, which are normallyretracted from that portion of the channels directly beneath the trunk,but are adapted to be moved rearward to force the splints out throughsaid channels into engagement with the carrier. These plungers arepreferably connected to a common head or cross-barP', which issecured atits opposite ends to the slides P the latter being adapted to bereciprocated by cams Q on the shaft Q.

Above the plate 0 is arranged an agitator comprising a frame R and aseries of wings or thin cross-partitions R. This frame is oscillated bymeans of a suitable connection, such as the eccentric-rod R connected toan eccentric on the rotary shaft R the arrangement being such that theoscillation of the frame will cause the wings R to move the splintslaterally across the plate 0, and thereby fill the channels withsplints, while the movement of the plungers P will, as before stated,force said splints out of said channels and into engagement with thecarrier M.

The splints in the channels are held from lateral displacement afterpassing out from beneath the trunk I by the rearward extensions of thepartitions O, which are of sufiicient length to remain between saidsplints after the latter have been engaged with the carrier. Thesepartitions do not, however, interfere with the subsequent movement ofthe carrier, as the direction of its travel is downward in asubstantially vertical plane; but the space immediately below thesplints when thus engaged with the carrier'must of necessity be clear ofobstruction during the interval in which the carrier moves, as otherwisethe splints would not be free to move with said carrier. At the sametime in order to insure the proper engagement of the splints with thecarrier they must be held from vertical as well as lateral displacementuntil they are firmly clamped between the bar 2 e. To accomplish thisresult, I provide a laterally-movable bed forming the base of thechannels in the plate 0, which bed is normally clear of the path of thesplints carried by the carrier, but which during the rearward movementof the plungers also travels rearward and supports the splints untilfirmly engaged. This bed may, if desired, be formed of a single plate;but as that would necessitate reducing the thickness of the plate 0 tothe diameter of a splint I preferably form the bed of a series of barsS, slidingly secured in the channels of the plate 0 beneath the plungersP. The bars S are positively actuated both in their rearward movementand when returned again to their normal positions, preferably byproviding the plungers P with downwardly-extending lugs 70, engagingwith shoulders Z, formed in said bars S. These shoulders l are asullicient distance apart to permit of a lost motion or a difierentialmovement of the plungers P and bars S, as the former must traveladistance greater than the length of the splint and the latter need onlymove far enough to support the splint while being engaged with thecarrier. The lesser movement of the bars S is also a necessity, as theywould otherwise strike against the carrier before the splint could beengaged therewith.

To prevent possibility of the plungers P and bed-bars S getting out ofline, I preferably make the channels in the plate 0 of dovetail shape orlarger at the bottom and tapering toward the top. The plungers and barsare of a corresponding opposite taper, and thus are held from rising inthe channels.

The carrier M is given an intermittent movement while in the guideways Nby means of cams T on opposite sides thereof, preferably arranged justbelow the transfer mechanism. These cams have grooves or threads, withwhich the lugst'on the linksfengage, a portion of these threads beingspiral to cause thedownward movement of the carrier, while anotherportion is in a plane at right angles to the axis which holds thecarrier stationary while the transfer mechanism engages the splintstherewith. Each link of the carrier is thus held absolutely in line withthe splints in the channeled plate 0 while the transfer mechanism is inoperation and is then moved.

downward and another link brought into its place before the nextoperation of said mechanism. The cams T are mounted upon shafts T, whichhave any suitable drive connection with the other parts of the mechanismproperly timed to cause the operation of parts in the proper sequence.

The main portion of the carrier M (not shown) may be given either anintermittent or a continuous movement. In the latter case suificientslack must be given between it and the portion in the guides N to permitof the intermittent movement of said portion.

Above the transfer mechanism is arranged the knocking-out mechanism fordetaching the finished matches from the carrier. This preferablycomprises a sliding plate U, which is intermittently reciprocated bylevers U, actuated by cams U on the shaft Q, and presses the matches outfrom the slot between the bars 6 and 6, allowing them to fall on atransversely-moving carrier V,which removes them from the machine.

Below the transfer mechanism I preferably arrange the sliding bar W,which is pressed against the splints already in engagement with thecarrier and evens their ends.

In the operation of the machine as a Whole the splints arefirst fed intothe receptacle A behind the partition 0 and in the rapid oscillation ofsaid receptacle arrange themselves in parallel relation, dropping intothe chan: nels between the strips 1), and, passing under the portion 0,travel down the inclined grating toward the trunk G. In passing downthis grating the broken splints and all foreign matter will drop throughbetween'the bars a, so that only the good splints will reach the trunkG. Should any of the splints be thrown by theoscillation of thereceptacle across the opening into the trunk G, they would land on theoppositely-inclined grating H and be fed back again into said trunk.

The trunk G having been once filled with splints arranged inparallelism, the splints as they come from the grating F will keep thetrunk constantly full, while the oscillation of the trunk will cause thesplints therein to feed downward. At the same time motion being impartedto the agitating-frame R and to the plungers P will, as beforedescribed, fill the channels and cause the transfer of the splints fromthe bottom of the trunk to the carrier M, properly spaced to leave roomfor the formation of the heads. The splints thus in enga gem entwith thecarrier Will be carried thereby during the entire process of forming theheads and finally removed by the reciprocating plate U just before theyhave completed the circuit of the carrier.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a match-machine, the combinationwith a splintcarrier, of a splint-holder, a rigid guide extending outfrom the side of said holder toward the carrier having a series ofparallel channels therein, adapted to receive the splints, a plunger forforcing the splints out through said channels into engagement with saidcarrier, a bed forming the bottom of such channels on which said splintsrest, and means for moving said bed outward to support the splints whilebeing engaged with the carrier and subsequently retracting said bed tobe out of the path of said splints in the movement of the carrier.

2. A match-machine comprising a reciprocating splint-receptacle adaptedto arrange the splints in parallelism longitudinally thereof, adownwardly-extending feed-trunk connected with said receptacle adaptedto be oscillated therewith at its upper end and stationary at its lowerend, an endless carrier having a section thereof parallel to saidfeedtrunk at its lower end and adapted to be intermittently actuated,and transfer mechanism for removing a series of spaced splints from thelower end of said trunk and engagin g them with said carrier.

3. In a match machine a reciprocating splint-receptacle having adownwardly-extending trunk connected therewith, a grated bottom to saidreceptacle inclining downward toward said trunk and comprisingcross-slats and longitudinally-extending division-strips thereabovespaced from each other by less than the length of a splint, and asimilarly formed oppositely-inclined grating on the opposite side ofsaid trunk.

4:. In a match-machine an endless splintcarrier comprising a series ofsplint-holders,

each consisting of a pair of rods arranged parallel to each other with aslight space between and links connecting said rods rigidly together andadapted to be pivotally connected to the links of the adjacent holders,a spacing block or washer between the central portion of said rods and apinor rivet passing through said rods and block.

5. In a match-machine an endlesssplintcarrier comprising a series ofsplint-holders, each consisting of a pair of tubular rods arrangedparallel to each other with a slight space between, end links havinginwardlyprojecting lugs or pintles engaging With the ends of said tubesand pivotally connected with the links of the adjacent holder, spacingblocks or washers between the ends of said rods adjacent to said linksand securingpins passing through said tubular-rods, pintles andspacing-blocks.

6. In a match-machine, the combination of a splint-holder provided witha bottom plate having a series of parallel channels therein, a series ofreciprocating plungers in said channels and abed comprising a series ofbars in said channels beneath said plungers and adapted to bereciprocated thereby.

7. In a match-machine, the combination of a splint-holder provided witha bottom plate having a series of parallel channels formed therein, aseries of reciprocating plungers in said channels, a bed comprising aseries of bars in said channels, beneath said plungers and a lost-motionconnection between said plungers and bars.

with the splint-holder provided with a botin presence of two Witnesses.

tom plate having a. series of parallel dovetail T T channels therein, ofreciprocating plunger ALDREW ANDERSON 5 and bed bars in said channelstapered to fit Within said channels for the purpose described.

8. In a match-machine the combination I In testimony whereof I afiix mysignature Witnesses:

M. B. ODOGHERTY, L. J. WHITTEMORE.

